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1.
Part A
Answer all questions in this part.
Directions (1 - 35): For each statement or question, choose the word or expression that, of those given, best
completes the statement or answers the question. Some questions may require the use of the 2011 Edition
Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Earth Science. Record your answers on your separate answer sheet.
1 The diagram below represents a sundial
positioned in New York State. During daylight,
the shadow cast by the gnomon (pointer) moves
across the disc, with the tip of the shadow
pointing to the time of day.
This motion of the gnomonâs shadow on the
sundial is mainly due to
(1) Earthâs rotation
(2) Earthâs revolution
(3) the Sunâs rotation
(4) the Sunâs revolution Answer: 1 2. 2 The formation of the planet Uranus is estimated
to have occurred approximately
(1) 100,000 million years ago
(2) 2.0 billion years ago
(3) 4.6 billion years ago
(4) 13.7 billion years ago Answer: 3 3. 3 Compared to the Jovian planets in our solar
system, the terrestrial planets have
(1) less mass and are less dense
(2) less mass and are more dense
(3) more mass and are less dense
(4) more mass and are more dense Answer: 2
4. 4 The diagram below represents the constellation
Leo that can be seen by an observer in New York
State at midnight during March.
Leo is not visible to this observer at midnight
during September because
(1) Leo has rotated on its axis
(2) Leo has revolved in its orbit around the Sun
(3) Earth has rotated on its axis
(4) Earth has revolved in its orbit around the Sun Answer: 4 5. 5 An observer in New York City measured the
angle of insolation at solar noon each day. During
which month did this observer see the noontime
angle of insolation increase each day?
(1) April (3) September
(2) July (4) December Answer: 1 6. 6 The Coriolis effect occurs as a result of Earthâs
(1) rotation (3) tilted axis
(2) revolution (4) magnetic field Answer: 1 7. 7 During the process of condensation, water vapor
(1) releases 334 J/g of heat energy
(2) releases 2260 J/g of heat energy
(3) gains 334 J/g of heat energy
(4) gains 2260 J/g of heat energy Answer: 2 8. 8 Infiltration is generally greater than runoff where
the land has a
(1) gentle slope and permeable soil
(2) gentle slope and impermeable bedrock
(3) steep slope and permeable soil
(4) steep slope and impermeable bedrock Answer: 1 9. 9 Nearly 90% of the water vapor that enters
Earthâs atmosphere comes from the evaporation
of Earthâs surface waters. Most of the remaining
10% is water vapor that enters the atmosphere
through
(1) precipitation from clouds
(2) transpiration from plants
(3) condensation within the troposphere
(4) melting of polar ice caps Answer: 2 10. 10 What is the relative humidity if the dry-bulb
temperature is 26°C and the wet-bulb temperature
is 18°C?
(1) 13 % (3) 45 %
(2) 33 % (4) 51 % Answer: 3 11. 11 Most of the long-wave energy radiated from
Earth and lost to space on a cloudless night is
(1) ultraviolet (3) visible light
(2) infrared (4) gamma rays Answer: 2 12. 12 In addition to carbon dioxide, two other major
greenhouse gases in Earthâs atmosphere are
(1) oxygen and nitrogen
(2) oxygen and methane
(3) water vapor and nitrogen
(4) water vapor and methane Answer: 4 13. 13 The arrows in the diagram below represent the
movement of air over a mountain.
Clouds are forming on the windward side of this
mountain because the air is
(1) expanding and cooling to the dewpoint
(2) expanding and warming to the dewpoint
(3) compressing and cooling to the dewpoint
(4) compressing and warming to the dewpoint Answer: 1 14. 14 The graph below shows the average monthly
amount of insolation received throughout a year
at four locations (A, B, C, and D) on Earth.
Which line on the graph best represents the
average monthly insolation received at the
equator?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D Answer: 4 15. 15 Earthâs polar regions have cold, dry climates
because the Sunâs rays are at a
(1) low angle, and upper atmospheric air is sinking
(2) low angle, and upper atmospheric air is rising
(3) high angle, and lower atmospheric air is sinking
(4) high angle, and lower atmospheric air is rising Answer: 1
16. 16 Atmospheric transparency will increase when
(1) volcanic eruptions occur
(2) fog is produced
(3) insolation is reflected by clouds
(4) precipitation removes dust particles from the
air Answer: 4 17. 17 The existence of which group of organisms spans
the shortest geologic time?
(1) birds (3) dinosaurs
(2) humans (4) placoderm fish Answer: 2 18. 18 Which New York State geologic event occurred
most recently?
(1) Taconian orogeny
(2) Grenville orogeny
(3) formation of the Catskill delta
(4) dome-like uplift of the Adirondack region Answer: 4 19. 19 The only dinosaur fossils found in New York
State are footprints found on 210-million-year-
old bedrock. In which New York State landscape
region were these dinosaur fossils found?
(1) Tug Hill Plateau
(2) Newark Lowlands
(3) Allegheny Plateau
(4) Adirondack Mountains Answer: 2 20. 20 The first P-wave of an earthquake travels 5600
kilometers from the epicenter and arrives at a
seismic station at 10:05 a.m. At what time did this
earthquake occur?
(1) 9:49 a.m. (3) 10:02 a.m.
(2) 9:56 a.m. (4) 10:14 a.m. Answer: 2 21. 21 The photograph below shows a New York State
index fossil.
What is the best classification of this fossil,
and during which geologic time period did the
organism that produced this fossil exist?
(1) Classification: Coral
Geologic time period: Permian
(2) Classification: Coral
Geologic time period: Ordovician
(3) Classification: Trilobite
Geologic time period: Permian
(4) Classification: Trilobite
Geologic time period: Ordovician Answer: 4 22. 22 As a quartz pebble is transported by a stream, the
pebble will become more rounded as a result of
(1) dissolving as water is running over the rock
(2) abrasion by colliding with other rocks
(3) deposition in well-sorted layers
(4) resistance to weathering and erosion Answer: 2 23. 23 Which three minerals are most likely used in the
construction of a house?
(1) graphite, pyrite, and halite
(2) garnet, galena, and sulfur
(3) talc, amphibole, and fluorite
(4) selenite gypsum, dolomite, and muscovite mica Answer: 4 24. 24 The topographic map below shows a portion of
a volcanic island in the Pacific Ocean. Elevations
are shown in feet. Letters A and B represent
locations on Earthâs surface. Locations A and B
are 2.5 miles apart.
What is the approximate gradient from point A to
point B on the island?
(1) 1000 ft/mi (3) 2000 ft/mi
(2) 1250 ft/mi (4) 2500 ft/mi Answer: 3 25. 25 Which two rocks usually consist of only one
mineral, but may contain additional minerals?
(1) hornfels and diorite
(2) quartzite and dunite
(3) rock salt and basalt
(4) gabbro and bituminous coal Answer: 2 26. 26 Which rock has never melted, but was produced
by great heat and pressure, which distorted and
rearranged its minerals?
(1) siltstone (3) pegmatite
(2) breccia (4) metaconglomerate Answer: 4 27. 27 The map below shows a portion of the North
Carolina coastline, including some of the Outer
Banks. The Outer Banks is a string of narrow
barrier islands consisting of well-sorted sand
along the Atlantic Ocean coast.
Which agent of erosion is primarily responsible
for the formation of these barrier islands?
(1) wave action (3) streams
(2) landslides (4) glacial ice Answer: 1 28. 28 The photograph below shows a magnified view
of a portion of a rock that can float if placed in
water.
Which terms best describe this rock?
(1) non-crystalline and vesicular
(2) coarse and non-vesicular
(3) clastic and fragmental
(4) foliated and banded Answer: 1 29. 29 The map below shows three locations, labeled A, X, and B, on Earthâs surface.
Which table correctly indicates the solar times at locations A and B when it is 12 noon at location X?
Answer: 2 30. 30 Which equation is used to determine the approximate rate of Earthâs revolution?
Answer: 3 31. 31 Which cross section best represents a cold front?
Answer: 3 32. 32 The isolines on the map below show snowfall totals from a lake-effect storm that affected a portion of
New York State.
The surface winds that produced this storm came from which direction?
(1) northwest (3) southeast
(2) northeast (4) southwest Answer: 1 33. 33 The photograph below shows Mount Rainier, a volcano in the state of Washington.
Which map best shows the complete stream drainage pattern for this mountain?
Answer: 3 34. 34 Which table best represents the characteristics of the continental crust and the oceanic crust?
Answer: 4 35. 35 The map below shows the locations of some oil and gas fields in New York State.
Which type of bedrock contains these oil and gas deposits?
(1) extrusive igneous rock (3) metamorphic rock
(2) intrusive igneous rock (4) sedimentary rock Answer: 4
36.
Part B - 1
Answer all questions in this part.
Directions (36 - 50): For each statement or question, choose the word or expression that, of those given,
best completes the statement or answers the question. Some questions may require the use of the 2011 Edition
Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Earth Science. Record your answers on your separate answer sheet.
Base your answers to questions 36 through 38 on the map below and on your knowledge of Earth science.
The map shows typical weather systems over North America. Letters X, Y, and Z represent locations on the map.
The isobars on the map are measured in millibars (mb).
36 Which map information indicates that the wind velocity is greater at location Z than at location X?
(1) Location Z is closer to the ocean. (3) The latitude of location X is greater.
(2) The isobars are closer together at Z. (4) Location X is closer to the front. Answer: 2 37. 37 Which type of front extends northwest from location Y?
(1) warm front (3) occluded front
(2) cold front (4) stationary front Answer: 4 38. 38 Which map best shows the locations for the centers of high pressure (H) and low pressure (L)?
Answer: 1 39. Base your answers to questions 39 through 41 on the passage below and on your knowledge of Earth Science.
Supermoon Eclipse
On September 27, 2015, a rare total lunar eclipse of a supermoon occurred.
A supermoon occurs when the entire lighted half of the Moon faces Earth (full Moon
phase) and the Moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit. At this time, the Moon
will appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than normal. Supermoon events are rare,
but a total lunar eclipse during a supermoon is even more rare. There have been only
six total supermoon lunar eclipses since 1900. The next one will not happen until 2033.
39 Supermoon total lunar eclipses are celestial events that
(1) are random occurrences (3) will never happen again after 2033
(2) are predictable (4) will happen every full Moon Answer: 2 40. 40 The diagram below represents the Moon in four positions, A through D, in its orbit around Earth.
At which position in its orbit was the Moon located during the 2015 supermoon total lunar eclipse?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D Answer: 3 41. 41 The time it took for the Moon to go from this supermoon to the next full moon phase was
(1) 15 days (3) 29.5 days
(2) 27.3 days (4) 365 days Answer: 3 42. Base your answers to questions 42 through 44 on the diagram and graph below and on your knowledge of
Earth science. The diagram represents a portion of Earthâs interior. Letters A, B, and C represent interior layers.
The graph shows the velocity of P-waves and S-waves at various depths in Earthâs interior.
42 Which layers of Earthâs interior are represented by letters A and B?
(1) A is the crust and B is the rigid mantle.
(2) A is the lithosphere and B is the asthenosphere.
(3) A is the asthenosphere and B is the crust.
(4) A is the rigid mantle and B is the lithosphere. Answer: 2 43. 43 What is the approximate velocity in kilometers/second of the P-waves at a depth of 1000 kilometers?
(1) 6.2 km/s (3) 11.3 km/s
(2) 7.2 km/s (4) 13.8 km/s Answer: 3 44. 44 Some locations within layer C have an inferred density of
Answer: 4 45. Base your answers to questions 45 through 47 on the graph below and on your knowledge of Earth science.
The graph shows the changes in a single starâs luminosity and relative temperature from its formation (point 1) to
its late stage (point 4) relative to the Sun.
45 Which is a possible surface temperature of this star at point 2?
(1) 3000 K (3) 7000 K
(2) 5000 K (4) 10,000 K Answer: 3 46. 46 Between points 1 and 3, this star is visible to observers on Earth because it emits light energy. This energy
is released by the process of nuclear fusion when
(1) dust collides with the star
(2) dust is broken apart by radiation
(3) lighter elements combine to form heavier elements
(4) heavier elements are broken down to form lighter elements Answer: 3 47. 47 Which table correctly classifies this star at points 3 and 4?
Answer: 1 48. Base your answers to questions 48 through 50 on the photograph below and on your knowledge of Earth
science. The photograph shows a meandering stream in a wooded area. Points A and B represent locations on the
streambanks. Letter X represents a flat area near the stream.
48 The streambank at location B is steeper than the streambank at location A because the water near
location B is moving
(1) slower than the water near location A, causing more erosion
(2) slower than the water near location A, causing more deposition
(3) faster than the water near location A, causing more erosion
(4) faster than the water near location A, causing more deposition Answer: 3 49. 49 The area labeled letter X represents a portion of a
(1) delta (3) finger lake
(2) sand dune (4) floodplain Answer: 4 50. 50 Most of the particles deposited where the stream velocity decreases from 50 centimeters per second to
5 centimeters per second are
(1) small cobbles and large pebbles (3) small sand and large silt
(2) small pebbles and large sand (4) small silt and large clay Answer: 2
51.
Part B - 2
Answer all questions in this part.
Directions (51 - 65): Record your answers in the spaces provided in your answer booklet. Some questions may
require the use of the 2011 Edition Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Earth Science.
Base your answers to questions 51 through 54 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science.
In the diagram, letters A, B, C, and D represent Earthâs location on the first day of the four seasons as it orbits the
Sun. Aphelion (Earthâs farthest distance from the Sun) and perihelion (Earthâs closest distance to the Sun) are
labeled to show the approximate positions where they occur in Earthâs orbit. The dashed lines represent Earthâs
axis, and the North Pole is labeled N.
51 State the number of degrees that Earthâs axis is tilted from a line perpendicular to the plane of its orbit at
each lettered location. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit for any value from 23.4° to 23.5° or its mathematical equivalent.
Note: Do not allow credit for a number with a direction, such as 23.5° N, because N indicates a
latitude, not an angle.
52. 52 Identify the season in New York State during which Earth is at perihelion. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit for winter.
53. 53 State the number of hours of daylight that an observer in New York State will experience when Earth is at
position D. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW 54. 54 Identify the name of the star that is aligned with Earthâs axis above the North Pole. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit for Polaris or North Star.
55. Base your answers to questions 55 through 58 on the passage, chart of definitions and photograph below, and
on your knowledge of Earth science. The passage is an excerpt from the 1994 novel Inca Gold, by Clive Cussler,
which describes the formation of a sinkhole in the Andes Mountains of South America. The chart of definitions
helps the reader understand some concepts in the passage. The photograph shows a sinkhole that formed in a
South American village.
Excerpt from Inca Gold
â¦The sinkholeâs early history began in the Cambrian era when the region was part
of an ancient sea. Through the following geological eras, thousands of generations of
shellfish and coral lived and died, their skeletal carcasses forming an enormous mass
of lime and sand that compressed into a limestone and dolomite layer two kilometers
thick. Then, beginning sixty-five million years ago, an intense earth uplifting occurred
that raised the Andes Mountains to their present height. As the rain ran down from the
mountains it formed a great underground water table that slowly began dissolving the
limestone. Where it collected and pooled, the water ate upward until the land surface
collapsed and created the sinkhole.â¦

55 In the first line of the passage, referring to Cambrian as an âeraâ is scientifically incorrect. State the unit of
geologic time that should be substituted for the word âera.â [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit for Period.
56. 56 Identify one group of animals that became extinct at the time the passage states that intense uplifting of the
Andes Mountains began. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- dinosaurs
- ammonoids
Note: Do not allow credit for land plants alone because the question asks for animals.
57. 57 Using chemical symbols, state the chemical composition of the mineral found in limestone. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
58. 58 Describe the chemical weathering that contributes to the formation of sinkholes. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- The acid in water chemically reacts with the carbonates in the rocks.
- Limestone is chemically altered and changed into new materials.
- Slightly acidic groundwater chemically breaks down calcite and/or dolomite.
- Water flowing underground dissolves the limestone.
59. Base your answers to questions 59 through 61 on the geologic cross section below and on your knowledge
of Earth science. The cross section represents rock units, labeled A through K, that have not been overturned.
Two unconformities and a volcanic ash layer are indicated.
59 List the letters E, H, and K to indicate the correct order of rock unit formation, from oldest to youngest,
that formed this portion of Earthâs crust. [1]
Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit for the sequence shown below:
H
Letters: _______, K E
_______,_______
Oldest Youngest
60. 60 Identify two processes that most likely caused the formation of both unconformities. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit for two correct responses. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- uplift/emergence/tilting/folding
- erosion
- submergence/subsidence
- weathering
- deposition
- burial
61. 61 Identify one metamorphic rock that most likely formed within rock unit G at the boundary of
rock unit K. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW1 [1] Allow 1 credit for marble or hornfels.
62. Base your answers to questions 62 through 65 on the field map in your answer booklet and on your
knowledge of Earth science. The map shows the depth of Cuba Lake, located in New York State at latitude 42°14â N,
longitude 78°18â W. Isoline values indicate water depth, in feet. Points A and B represent locations on the
shoreline of Cuba Lake. Points W, X, Y, and Z represent locations on the bottom of the lake. The 30-foot isoline
has been partially drawn.
62 On the map in your answer booklet, complete the 30-foot water depth isoline from point W to
point X. [1]
Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit if the 30-foot isoline is drawn correctly. If additional isolines are drawn, all must be
correct to receive credit.
Note: The isoline must touch points X, W, and the point for 30.
Example of a one-credit response:
63. 63 On the grid in your answer booklet, construct a profile of the bottom of Cuba Lake from point A to point B.
Plot each point where an isoline showing depth is crossed by line AB. Connect the plots with a line, starting
at A and ending at B, to complete the profile. [1]
Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit if all eight plots are within or touch the rectangles shown below and are correctly
connected with a line from A to B that passes within or touches each rectangle. The line should
extend below 40 feet, but remain above 50 feet.
Note: Allow credit if the line misses a plot, but is still within or touches the rectangle.
It is recommended that an overlay of the same scale as the student answer booklet be used
to ensure reliability in rating.
64. 64 State the compass direction and distance in feet (ft) from point Y to point Z. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit if both responses for compass direction and distance are correct.
Compass direction:
- SW
- Southwest
- SSW
Distance:
- Any value from 3800 to 4200 ft.
65. 65 Identify the New York State landscape region where Cuba Lake is located. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit for Allegheny Plateau or Appalachian Plateau or Appalachian Uplands.
66.
Part C
Answer all questions in this part.
Directions (66 - 85): Record your answers in the spaces provided in your answer booklet. Some questions may
require the use of the 2011 Edition Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Earth Science.
Base your answers to questions 66 through 68 on the table below and on your knowledge of Earth science.
The data table lists some information about the dwarf planet Pluto, which revolves around our Sun, and the five
known moons that orbit Pluto.
66 Identify the name of Plutoâs moon that most likely has an orbit farthest from Pluto. Explain how the data
indicate that this moonâs orbit has the greatest distance from Pluto. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit for both the moon Hydra and a correct explanation. Acceptable responses include,
but are not limited to:
- Hydra has the longest period of revolution.
- As a moonâs distance from Pluto increases, the time to make one revolution also increases.
- Hydra travels the greatest distance in its orbit because it has the longest period of
revolution.
67. 67 Describe the shape of the orbit of Pluto and the orbits of its five moons. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- elliptical
- The orbits are eccentric.
- The orbits are nearly, but not perfectly, circular.
- oval
- Plutoâs orbit is elliptical, and the moons of Pluto have a more nearly circular orbit.
68. 68 Explain why Pluto and its five moons are considered to be part of our solar system. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- Pluto and its five moons revolve around the Sun.
- All go around/orbit the Sun.
- The gravitational attraction of the Sun influences the motion of Pluto and its moons.
- Pluto revolves around the Sun, and its moons revolve around Pluto.
- Pluto orbits the Sun.
69. Base your answers to questions 69 through 73 on the passage and map below and on your knowledge of
Earth science. The map shows a satellite image of a norâeaster that influenced the weather of the northeastern
United States. The white areas represent clouds associated with this storm system. The locations of North Carolina
and Albany, New York, are labeled on the map. The stormâs low-pressure center is represented by letter L.
Letters cP and mT represent two air masses.
Norâeasters
A norâeaster is a large, low-pressure storm system that moves along the east coast
of the United States. The wind over the land blows generally from the northeast as the
center of the low passes by a location, hence the name norâeaster. Due to the circulation
of winds around the center of the low-pressure system, large amounts of precipitation
occur as moist air is carried from the ocean to the land. These storms usually intensify
off of the North Carolina coast as they track toward the northeast.
69 Describe two characteristics of the circulation pattern of the surface winds around the center of the
low-pressure area represented on the map. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- counterclockwise and in toward the center
- counterclockwise and spiraling toward the center
- inward and counterclockwise
- counterclockwise and converging
70. 70 Circle the terms that best describe the relative moisture and relative temperature characteristics of the mT
air mass compared to the cP air mass shown on the map. [1]
Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit for circling both more humid and warmer.
71. 71 The map below shows some of the principal storm tracks across the United States and the names of these
storm tracks.
Identify the name of the storm track that this norâeaster most closely followed. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit for East Gulf.
72. 72 The table below shows weather conditions recorded in Albany, New York, at the time that the satellite image
was taken.
On the station model in your answer booklet, use the correct symbols and proper format to indicate the
four conditions in the table. [1]
Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit if all four weather conditions are correctly indicated, using the proper format.
A 1-credit response is shown below.
73. 73 Identify one weather instrument that was most likely used to determine the dewpoint at Albany,
New York. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- psychrometer/sling psychrometer
- dry-bulb thermometer/thermometer
- wet-bulb
- hygrometer
74. Base your answers to questions 74 through 76 on the data table below and on your knowledge of Earth
science. The data table shows the mass of a sample of radioactive carbon-14 remaining after each half-life.
74 On the grid in your answer booklet, construct a line graph by plotting the data for the mass of carbon-14 in
the sample for each half-life shown on the data table. Connect the plots with a line. [1]
Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit if the centers of all seven of the students plots are within or touch the circles shown
and all seven plots are correctly connected with a line that passes within or touches each circle.
Note: It is recommended that an overlay of the same scale as the student answer booklet be used
to ensure reliability in rating.
75. 75 Identify the stable disintegration product of the radioactive isotope carbon-14. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
14
- N
- nitrogen-14
- N-14
Note: Do not allow credit for nitrogen alone because nitrogen has more than one isotope, and the
stable disintegration product is needed.
76. 76 Determine the number of grams of carbon-14 remaining in this sample at 17,100 years. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW 77. Base your answers to questions 77 through 79 on the data tables below and on your knowledge of Earth
science. Data table 1 shows the average maximum and average minimum water temperatures at different
depths in Lake Michigan. Data table 2 shows the average maximum and average minimum land temperatures at
different depths in soil at St. Paul Minnesota (MN).
77 Identify the water depth range and the soil depth range, in meters, that have the same average maximum
temperature of 12.5°C. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit for a water depth range of 20-30 m and a soil depth range of 4-5 m.
78. 78 Describe the general relationship between depth and average temperature for both water and soil in the
summer. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- As depth increases, temperature decreases.
- It gets colder, the greater the depth.
- inverse relationship/negative relationship
- The shallower the depth, the greater the average temperature for soil and water.
79. 79 Explain why the winter water surface is warmer than the winter land surface. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- Water has a higher specific heat.
- Water changes temperature more slowly.
- Land has a lower specific heat.
- It takes more energy to change the temperature of water than land.
- Land cools off more quickly than water.
80. Base your answers to questions 80 through 82 on the map below and on your knowledge of Earth science.
The map shows an enlargement of a portion of the Tectonic Plates map from the Physical Setting/Earth Science
Reference Tables. Arrows showing plate motion have been omitted. Points Y and Z represent locations on plate
boundaries.
80 Identify the type of tectonic plate boundary found at location Z. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- transform boundary
- transform fault
- strike-slip fault
81. 81 State the names of the tectonic plates on each side of the Bouvet Hot Spot. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit for African Plate and Antarctic Plate.
82. 82 The cross section in your answer booklet represents a portion of Earthâs interior beneath point Y. On this
cross section, draw an arrowhead on each of the four bold lines, to represent the direction of the convection
currents in the asthenosphere. [1]
Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW[1] Allow 1 credit for four arrowheads/arrows that indicate rising currents and a divergent movement
in the asthenosphere.
Example of a 1-credit response:
Note: If additional arrowheads or arrows are drawn, all must be correct to receive credit.
If a student draws his/her own arrows, all arrows must indicate a correct rising and
diverging movement.
83. Base your answers to questions 83 through 85 on the passage below and on your knowledge of Earth
science.
Glacier Movement
Glaciers are thick sheets of ice in motion. Mountain glaciers tend to move down
the slopes of mountains from higher elevations to lower elevations, while continental
ice sheets move over large areas of continents. The bottom of a glacier is under great
pressure due to the weight of the thick sheet of ice. This pressure causes the bottom of
the glacier to partially melt, allowing the glacier to move. As the glacier thickens, more
pressure is created and the glacier moves faster. Different parts of a glacier can move at
different rates, depending on the amount of pressure and friction between the glacier
and the underlying bedrock.
83 Describe the relationship between the thickness of a glacier and its rate of movement downhill. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- As the thickness of a glacier increases, the rate of movement increases.
- Thicker glaciers move faster.
- direct relationship
84. 84 Describe the most likely shape of the cross section of a valley formed as a result of erosion by a mountain
glacier. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- U-shaped
- wide valley with steep sides
85. 85 Compared to sediments deposited by meltwater from a glacier, describe the difference in the arrangement
of the sediment deposited directly by a glacier. [1] Answer: MODEL ANSWER GIVEN BELOW Allow 1 credit. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- unsorted
- mixed piles
- not layered
Try the Quiz : Earth Science - New York Regents August 2018 Exam
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